Picture : Twitter / ANI
The mortal remains of Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed to his injuries after surviving last week’s helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, were consigned to flames with full military and state honours in Bhopal on Friday.
As per PTI report, Wrapped in a tricolour, the mortal remains were brought to the cremation ground in Bairagarh area here from the Military Hospital here in a flower-bedecked Army truck with people raising slogans of ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ and ‘Group Captain Varun Singh amar rahe’.
As the mortal remains reached the cremation ground, a ceremonial guard of honour was given by the defence forces personnel, after which the senior services officers paid their tributes by laying floral wreaths on the coffin of the Group Captain. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang also paid their tributes to the decorated air warrior.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays last respects to Group Captain Varun Singh at Bairagarh crematorium in Bhopal.
The lone survivor of #TamilNaduChopperCrash was under treatment at Command Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka where he passed away on December 15th. pic.twitter.com/VKwOYlb7Wo
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2021
After the rituals were performed by a priest and the family members, his younger brother, a Lieutenant Commander in the Indian Navy, and his son lit the funeral pyre amid the slogans of ‘Group Captain Varun Singh amar rahe’ raised by the people.
Singh’s wife and daughter, his father Colonel K P Singh (retd), mother Uma besides, other close relatives were also present there and bid a teary-eyed farewell to him. Group Captain Varun Singh died at a military hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday after surviving December 8 helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu that killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 armed forces personnel.
Several leaders tweeted their tributes :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister
Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot, Group Captain Varun Singh. He was a true fighter who fought till his last breath. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends. We stand firmly with the family, in this hour of grief. https://t.co/hZrdatjaAA
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 15, 2021
Rahul Gandhi, former Congress preident
My heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Group Captain Varun Singh.
This is a sad moment for the country. We all are with you in this grief. pic.twitter.com/rpBoIcmEe9
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2021
Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP
Tragic. Let us bow our heads in tribute to this brave warrior. Om Shanti https://t.co/LXq9bcyzcY
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 15, 2021
